The brand I take is only onece a day - two big pills. It took all of six months, but the pain is gone in my hands! I had to take arthritis strength Pain Releaver daily - now only when I have abused my hands (like screwing a bunch of things in...)

My Dh & I have taken Glucosamine plus MSM for years. It's not a be-all end-all for arthritis pain but it does help! Especially if you have knee pain. I want to say that the 1st 6 wks were little improvement but once we were past the 12 week point, things were better.

I know, I've read the info saying it doesn't help much but I can tell a difference. Just my thoughts, YMMV. :)
Susan

Yes, and I truly believe it helps. No joint pain. I take it three times a day.

Moni

I also take two large pills once a day, although the instructions indicate more are possible. It's expensive! Have been taking it for about two years. The achies in my hands and joints are a lot better. It doesn't help my back pain, though. But I can't remember the last time I had a day when I just couldn't do anything because of general aches. Go for it and be patient!

I've been taking it for about 2 years, too. My dr. recommended it when he diagnosed arthritis in my knee.

It's helped amazinging. Before the G & C, my knee clicked every step I took, ever since I'd injured it 30 years ago. After about 3 months, not only had my arthritis cleared up, but the knee totally stopped clicking.

I take the Knox brand--2 a day. Bottle recommends 4, but I found that 2 work just fine for me.

Did just recently hear that it's more effective if you take one of the brands that includes gelatine (like Knox).

Thanks for the encouraging responses!

I didn't know Knox made glucosomine. I bought the NSI brand from vitacost.com, where I shop often. They list gelatin in the ingredients, but that because the capsules are made of gelatin.

Unfortunately, I can't take MSM. I'm always reading about how wonderful it is, but it actually gives me joint pain. I've never been able to find out anything about this reaction because no one else seems to have it.

I've done the half hearted stabs at it too. I got tired of taking so many pills a day. Two Gluc./Condr. in the am & pm, and a vitamin, and a calcium in the am, plus the normal 6 pills a day for BP, thyroid, Celebrex, the little purple pill, and the stop smoking pill, that isn't helping at the moment.
But I started on the Gluc/Condr. again yesterday, and I hope it helps soon.
Leslie

I have been taking it since 1999. I take two big pills in the morning. Mine also have MSM in them.

I also take the 2x a day pills. They are big but it's worth not having to take 3 pills.

I once went to hear a speaker at the University of So. Calif.--it was a doctor, an orthopedist or something like that. Question from the audience was about glucosamine and chondroitin, if it helps. He said he did not know, but that he takes it, so that was enough for me. Unfortunately, it isn't inexpensive. I watch for the buy one get one free specials at CVS.

I've been taking Schiff's Move Free with MSM for a few years and it really helps my joints. It now comes in a smaller tablet. I take 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening. I usually buy it at Sam's Club and they have been selling it at the commissary now (they take coupons).

I know some people who don't take it at the recommended dose and give up saying it doesn't work for them. But if you take it correctly it works.

Directions
For best results this product needs to be taken consistently and at the recommended dose. For the first two (2) weeks, take three (3) Schiff Move Free Advanced Plus MSM tablets twice a day with food (six (6) tablets daily). After the two (2) week loading phase, take three (3) tablets once a day with food.

Product Description
Move Free Advanced is an exclusive Schiff Nutrition formula that combines Uniflex with Joint Fluid, Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Schiff found two new advanced ingredients - Uniflex and Joint Fluid - which, when added to glucosamine, doubled the effectiveness vs glucosamine and chondroitin alone. Uniflex is a patent-pending ingredient system that works as a powerful anti-oxidant. It's a natural ingredient system based on two herbs - Chinese Scullcap and Black Catechu - which have been proven to be very effective. The chief bioflavonoids in Uniflex - catechin - is also found in other common foods such as apples, green tea, wine, and most fruits and vegetables. Hyaluronic acid (HA) helps to lubricate, rejuvenate and rehydrate joints. You will find HA throughout the body, functioning in many different ways. In the joints, it has two main functions - Lubrication - reducing friction and damage to the joint - Repair Initiation - signaling the body to repair the joint. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) - Sulfur is an important component of joint cartilage. Glucosamine and Chondroitin - Help by lubricating, cushioning, strengthening, protecting and rebuilding joints. *In an independent internet survey, doctors recommending glucosamine preferred the Move Free Advanced formula over formulas containing only glucosamine or glucosamine and chondroitin. *Independent, preliminary, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of glucosamine, Uniflex and Joint Fluid (hyaluronic acid) vs. 1,500 mg glucosamine with 1,200 mg chondroitin and vs. 1,500 mg glucosamine alone conducted for two months. Additional chondroitin has been added to Move Free Advanced. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Here is a link that might be useful: Schiff's Move Free with MSM

DH and I have been taking it for 5 or 6 years now. I use to have bad back pain and could hardly turn over at night without stabbing pains in my back. Don't have any problems now and I have only been taking one in the morning and it seems to work for me.

Our vet recommended it for our dog. She's 10 years old and is showing signs of arthritis in her hips. We are starting her on it this week end. I think DH and I will try it too. We started it a few years ago, but gave up asl we saw no results....guess we didn't give a long enough try. I hear so many goos things about it though. It is very expensive though for the 3 of us to be taking it could be quite costly!

I took it (glucosamine/chondroitin)before I was pregnant and it did help a lot. I noticed a change pretty quickly this time (I had tried taken it in the past when it first became popular and never really kept with it). I also noticed when the effects reversed when I stopped taking it when I found out I was pregnant.

I was looking forward to taking it again but I've read it can increase blood sugars and I have gestational diabetes now, which means I'm likely to develop Type II down the line (and since I'm 38, down the line isn't too far away). Actually we now also have a family history of Type II diabetes (my mom has it and my sister who had GD with one child is pre-diabetic) and it's possible my mom had undiagnosed GD with me so it's more than likely that I'm at risk for Type II so I don't know if I should take the glucosamine again. What a bad combination of genes - I got the arthritis from my dad.

It really, really helped my aching joints. I bought a big bottle in Costco. I'm not sure if it was Kirkland or another brand. I wasn't even taking the maximum dosage.

When we had DH at Mayo Clinic back in 2004 (?) or whenever it was, they recommended it for him--even recommended a brand. Spring Valley (we buy it at WalMart). He swears by it...and the only time he ran out of it, he could tell within a few days. He doesn't do the exercises at home that they taught him in physical therapy (even though he should!), but he DOES take his G/C daily.

I remember that it helped one of our horses dramatically in his advanced age.

The product I bought is NSI Glucosamine & Chondroitin Double Strength 1,500 mg/1,200 mg per serving -- 180 Capsules for $18.99. There may be better prices out there, but this seemed pretty good to me based on what I've seen in the stores. Vitacost has others with MSM, etc.

Paula, I empathize. I, too, have inherited some genes that make me careful about my health, and Type II diabetes is among them. I'll have to check into the blood sugar issue. Thanks!

Between fibromyalgia and joint pain, I'm in everything hurts all the time mode and I must say it's exhausting. I'll never form a volleyball group at this rate. :-)

Susan

I have taken G&C every morning for the past two - three years and I am very sure that it helps me a great deal. I take four caps once a day. Good stuff.

sooey

I've been tossing around the idea of Glucosamine, but didn't realize it can elevate blood sugar. I am early stages of diabetes.

Thanks for the info.

Gayle

Well, just to be clear, I'm not sure how strong the link is between glucosamine and blood sugar. It may be related as salt is to blood pressure - maybe it effects some people and not all. The results from research seem to be mixed.

Of course, results from glucosamine research has also been mixed but I did notice major improvement.

I still don't know what I'll do after this pregnancy and breastfeeding since as much as I want to keep my blood sugars in check, relief from joint pain greatly improved my quality of life.

So I wouldn't necessrily rule it out if you have blood sugar issues but you may want to monitor your blood sugar more closely if you take it.

Rita mentioned the Mayo Clinic. Their website recommends it, particularly for knee oseoarthritis, and has this to say about the blood sugar connection:

It remains unclear if glucosamine alters blood sugar levels. Several human studies suggest that glucosamine taken by mouth has no effects on blood sugar, while other research reports mixed effects on insulin. When glucosamine is injected, it appears to cause insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction. Preliminary studies show no effect on mean hemoglobin A1c concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Caution is advised in patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar.

But on the same website, their diabetes expert says this:

Some preliminary studies suggest that glucosamine may worsen insulin resistance, which contributes to elevated blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Although more research is needed to clarify these findings, it's probably a good idea to avoid taking glucosamine if you have type 2 diabetes.

It's important to note that glucosamine hasn't been proven to improve joint pain associated with osteoarthritis.

I think she ought to check out the rest of the website.

Insulin resistance has been a big issue for me for all of my adult life. I don't dare risk making it worse, so I think I'll treat Wolfy, my arthritic husky-shepherd, to the glucosomine.

I'm really glad you mentioned that, Paula, even if it's just a possibility.

I've been taking it for quite a while now. It takes a while before you notice any difference and with my pain I can't really say I notice a difference, that is, until I quit taking it for a few days to a week, then all of a sudden I notice more pain. Is that proof? No, it's purely anecdotal but suggests to me that it's worth it. I just bought a bunch on clearance at Walgreens for 70% off regular price so I'm stocked up for about a year or maybe more. I just started taking the type with MSM. No comments on it - can't say if it's better or worse.

I bought one of the 28 day pill sorters at WalMart for about $3. I cut it in half and I now have two 2-week sorters so essentially once a month I make up the pills for the month. I take a daily multivitamin, a calcium, and 2 G+C+M.

Beware, there's different doseages and double, triple and single strength can be misleading. Look at the contents - what it takes to get what you want to take. I've been taking 1500 mg daily and on some it's 6, some 4 and what I'm getting is 2 pills per day. I take them at the same time although I've been told that it makes no difference and some say you should spread them out over the day. I would think the latter would be preferable if you can do it.

I started taking glucosamine about 7 weeks ago, just one a day. I'd been having problems with waking up with a sore shoulder. I think it's too early for any improvement, but honestly, it doesn't seem to bother me as much lately.

I have to bite that pill into 3 pieces in order to swallow it, and I still choke on them, I will only take one when Woody's around.

Between us and the dogs, who take it too, we're spending a small fortune on it. I need to start finding some of those good sales!

I see a difference in my cat's gait after about a day. (she sometimes gets finicky and won't eat the food w/ the pill in it until I do something different)

But the difference is most pronounced after about 2 to 3 days.

However, i know the effects linger, because it takes a few days for it to wear off.

For me, I'd give it a week before I was skeptical.

(Flamey, grind the pill up and mix it into your catfood--er, your hamburger or something)